Chinese Embassy denies reports about CPEC’s Western Route

ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Islamabad has categorically denied a media report that suggested that Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan has informed Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtun Khuwah province that there was no existence of Western Route on the blue print of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A statement, issued to the media by the Spokesperson of Embassy of China in Islamabad on Wednesday said “It is reported in an Urdu newspaper recently that the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan informed Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and KP government that western route doesn’t exist in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This is untrue and misreporting.”

The Statement further said “The CPEC is an important consensus reached by the Chinese and Pakistani governments and of great significance in enhancing bilateral connectivity, improving people’s livelihood and fostering pragmatic economic and trade cooperation. China and Pakistan have put in place a sound mechanism of communication and coordination on the development of CPEC.”

The press statement by the Chinese Embassy further stated “On November 12th, 2015, the 5th meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of CPEC approved the principle of “one corridor with multiple passages”, aiming at directly benefiting the socio-economic development of Pakistan, especially the Western and North-Western regions and providing effective connectivity to Gwadar Port.”

The statement also stated “The Monographic Study of Transport Plan, approved in 5th JCC, clearly mentions that Burhan-D.I.Khan-Quetta-Sorab section will provide much needed connectivity between major connection points of CPEC and will connect the western areas of Pakistan.”

It said “CPEC is for Pakistan as a whole and will bring benefits to all Pakistani people including the people from the western parts.”

“With the joint efforts of both sides, CPEC projects are running well throughout Pakistan, and the CPEC is being comprehensively implemented. CPEC projects in the western parts of Pakistan are making progress. A number of livelihood projects have also been implemented,” the statement added.

“We are committed to join hands with Pakistan to make continuous headway on the CPEC and deliver benefits to the people at an early date.” Concluded that statement.